Everest Base Camp Trekking Tips

everest base camp trekking tips

September 28, 2014

Welcome to our second article on Everest Base Camp Trekking Tips. The information you’ll get here, as with our previous Everest Base Camp Trekking Tips post, won’t be the obvious stuff. We’ve decided to scratch below the surface a little to give you some handy information designed to make your adventure in Nepal that little bit more enjoyable.

Everest Base Camp Trekking Tips # 4

What is the best way to go about changing money in Nepal?  We get this one a lot. As we are an Australian company, plenty of our guests ask if they should first change their AUD into US dollars. The answer is no. Money changers are easy to find all over Nepal and especially in the major centres, and they all readily accept Australian dollars. Most will have a board displaying the exchange rates and all will have the AUD “rate of the day” listed.

Most hotels provide a money exchange service but you will find the exchange rate less competitive at your hotel – so if possible avoid changing money there. There are plenty of ATM’s around Kathmandu so accessing your bank account using your regular VISA / MASTER CARD / DEBIT card is an easy process.
 Some people still prefer to use travellers cheques and these are also commonly accepted throughout Nepal.
It’s always a good idea to take some rupees with you on your trekking (or climbing) expedition for miscellaneous expenses such as soft drinks, alcohol, sweets, showers, washing (clothes) and souvenirs.
 Around AUD $300 – $400 in rupees is usually plenty (depending on the duration of your trek) but change a little more if you are planning a big shopping spree.

Something worth remembering as you approach the end of your holiday in Nepal is that foreign exchange outlets (outside Nepal) don’t recognise and won’t accept / change Nepalese rupees. So unless you’re planning on returning to Nepal be sure to spend your Nepalese rupees prior to your departure.

Everest Base Camp Trekking Tips # 5

Should I buy clothing and equipment in Nepal?  This is one of our BEST Everest Base Camp Trekking Tips! Our clients often want to know if they can save money by purchasing clothing and equipment when they arrive in Kathmandu as opposed to buying it at home before they go.  The simple answer to this is yes but there are a few things you must consider.

Genuine brands at the few shops in Kathmandu that stock them are not much cheaper, if at all, compared to what we pay at home. Genuine Gore-Tex for example is always around the same price. We use the word ‘genuine’ as there are literally hundreds of shops in Kathmandu that sell cheap imitation Gore-Tex clothing sporting the brand name of every well known adventure clothing manufacturer. North Face, Mammut, Mountain Hardware… the list goes on and the cheap imitations are everywhere.

If you are planning on trekking and/or climbing in Nepal, you will need at least one genuine Gore-Tex jacket.  You should be very careful leaving this type of purchase until you arrive in Kathmandu because many of the imitations will have the Gore-Tex tag attached.  Some of the imitations are so good it’s not always easy to tell the difference, until of course you’re trekking along at 4500 metres with an icy wind at your back.

In short, for items such as trekking boots/shoes, windproof and waterproof clothing, good trekking socks and quality clothing that wicks away moisture, we always recommend people buy these types of products from a reputable outlet before they go. For other items such as water bottles, walking poles, hats, trekking pants, fleece clothing, lightweight gloves, heavyweight gloves, some down gear and buffs, you can buy these in Nepal and save a lot of money.

everest base camp trekking tips

Andy and Shona at “Shona’s” in Thamel

A great ‘locals’ gear shop in Kathmandu (in the heart of Thamel) is ‘Shona’s’. Shona and Andy have heaps of reliable gear at a fraction of the price you’ll pay at home. They also sell their own range of down clothing, sleeping bags and accessories that are regularly used on 8000 metre mountains. Their products are good and so are the prices. Shona’s is a great place to pick up many of the basic clothing and equipment type items you’ll need on a Nepal trekking or climbing adventure. We take all our guests past Shona’s on every trip we run so they can pick up those last minute things.

When it comes to climbing equipment (e.g. ropes, carabiners, harnesses, helmets, crampons), again the few shops that sell the genuine products in Kathmandu are no cheaper.  And the imitation products are everywhere. Given this is the equipment that just might save your life, this is a simple decision – buy this stuff at home before you go.

Everest Base Camp Trekking Tips # 6

Can I buy prescription drugs in Nepal? Trek Climb Ski Nepal never makes recommendations on whether or not people should purchase prescription drugs in Nepal.

That said, many of our guests have expressed their disappointment at not being aware before heading to Nepal that many basic drugs were available for purchase at a fraction of what they cost at home. The fact is, it is possible to buy a wide range of prescription and ‘over the counter’ drugs in Nepal without a prescription. These are readily available from small ‘chemist’ type shop fronts found all over Kathmandu and even in some of the busier mountain villages. The vast majority of these drugs are manufactured by reputable pharmaceutical companies in India which then export them to Nepal.

The following are examples of common travel drugs readily available in Nepal for around 10% of what you’d expect to pay at home.

  • Roxithromycin and Amoxycillin, effective for chest infections, sinus infections and middle ear infections
  • Norfloxacin and Tinidazole, effective for the treatment of diarrhoea and giardia
  • Stemetil and Maxolon, effective for the treatment of nausea
  • Pseudoephedrine and Paracetamol, effective for sinus pain relief and general ‘cold’ symptoms
  • Diamox (Acetazolamide) is useful in the prevention or treatment of mild altitude sickness, especially the symptoms of headache and insomnia

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